S8UL Esports has unveiled India’s first-ever FGC Talent Hunt Program for up-and-coming players across Tekken 8 and Street Fighter 6.
From January until June 2026, the initiative will help six players develop their competitive skills and personal brand through coaching, funding and additional resources.
Based on their performance in the nationwide qualifiers and finals, two players for Tekken 8 and four for Street Fighter 6 will be selected for the Talent Hunt Program. Interested individuals can register via the dedicated website.
Throughout the six-month training, participants will have access to S8UL’s gaming facility, as well as:
- A dedicated professional coach
- Fully-funded participation in at least three international tier-one tournaments
- Travel support, covering accommodation, flights, etc.
- A monthly stipend
- Integration into S8UL’s content ecosystem
According to a press release, this comprehensive offering aims to serve as a ‘development pipeline, focusing on long-term athlete growth’.
“India’s fighting game community has shown tremendous potential, but players have rarely had access to a structured environment that supports long-term growth,” commented Animesh Agarwal, Co-founder and CEO, S8UL Esports.
“This is not just a short-term project for us — it’s the beginning of a sustained effort to help build a strong foundation for fighting games in India and give our players a fair chance to compete on the world stage”
Supporting Indian FGC Talent
With the new talent programme, S8UL also strives to strengthen India’s position in the global FGC landscape.
The esports organisation has been a notable stakeholder in both its regional esports industry and the international ecosystem. After becoming the first Indian team selected for the Esports World Cup’s Partner Programme, S8UL began its FGC involvement with Fatal Fury and Tekken 8.
Despite facing limited funding and publisher support, the fighting game esports scene has persevered in the ever-changing competitive gaming ecosystem. Moreover, the community has seen interest from new esports organisations and the addition of new titles, such as Riot Games’ 2XKO.
